Proverbs 3:31-35: There is a choice to be made.

Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways; For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, but His secret counsel is with the upright. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just. Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble. The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools. Proverbs 3:31-35

Envy: a feeling of discontent or covetousness withregard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc.

Oppressor: one who is or promotes violence and wrong

Choose: man's choice

None: all, the whole

Ways: of moral action and character

Perverse: to turn aside, depart, devious, crooked

Abomination: something disgusting; ethical sense to God and His people

Counsel: circle of familiar friends

Upright: straightforward, just, well-pleased, righteous

Wicked: one guilty of crime, deserving punishment

Just: just, righteous, in conduct and character

Scorns: open or unqualified contempt; disdain

Grace: favor, acceptance

Humble: lowly

Wise: ethically and religiously

Inherit: have or get as a possession

Glory: honor, dignity of position

Shame: personal dishonor, disgrace

Legacy: lift up, exalt, promotion

Fools: stupid fellow

There is a choice to be made.

Choose one who is and/or promoted violence. Choose be in the company of the devious and those who are disgusting (to God). Choose to dwell with those who are guilty crime and deserve punishment. Choose those who are contempt. Choose to leave a legacy be known for being a fool. 

There is a choice to be made.

Choose to be among the circle of the just and well-pleased before God. Choose to live in a home filled with righteous conduct and character. Choose to live in humility before God. Choose to be wise ethically and religiously and enjoy the possession of honor. 

There is a choice to be made. And to make the right choice, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

What choice will you make today? 

Proverbs 3:27-30: Simple Clear Instructions

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have it with you. Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he dwells by you for safety’s sake. Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm. Proverbs 3:27-30

These verses give clear instructions on how wisdom is to be put into action. Simple. Concise. And to the point. 

Do good. Don't delay. Be kind. Treat your neighbor well. 

I remember growing up, we all knew our neighbors. We spent time riding bikes, and playing in the neighborhood. We knew how lived in each home and they knew us (so we had to be good since they'd tell our parents, lol). 

It's harder to get to know our neighbors today. No one wants to be friendly, because they might be asked to do something. Everyone wants to stay to themselves and "mind their own business". 

Do not withhold good from whom it is due—we all can show kindness to others. Sometimes it's a "Good morning", or a wave. Other times it's helping out in bigger ways—maybe moving a trash can or helping mow, or weed..... the list really is endless. 

We often will help those living on the other side of the World, through a donation (which isn't bad), but there  is no personal connection. Perhaps we all need to take time to meet our neighbors and show some true kindness. 

If my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then it should show forth in my actions. Proverbs 3:27-30 list some very specific ways to put wisdom into practice. Do good. Don't delay. Be kind. Treat your neighbor well. Simple clear instructions.

Proverbs 3:23-26: No fear. Confidence. Protection.

Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 3:23-26

"Then", refers to the keeping of sound wisdom and discretion (Proverbs 2:21). Proverbs 3:23-26 describe the results of wisdom. 

Walk safely: quietness and security

Not stumble: make a fatal mistake; of serious (even fatal) injury

Afraid: be in dread

Sweet: pleasing

Not afraid: FEAR NOT! 

Sudden terror: sudden terror of dread

Trouble: devastation, ruin

Wicked: criminal

Lord: deity Yahweh, the proper name of the God

Confidence: hope

Keep: preserve, protect

Foot: be able to endure, journey

Caught: capture

Walk safely. Sweet sleep. No fear. Confidence. Protection. And it's all the result of finding Wisdom and obeying Wisdom—not just knowing about it, but putting it into practice. And remember the source of true Wisdom is God Himself! 

Walk safely. Sweet sleep. No fear. Confidence. Protection. Each is available to me, and it begins when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

Proverbs 3:21, 22: Looks good on you!

My son, let them not depart from your eyes—keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. Proverbs 3:21, 22

Let them not: expressing a prohibition

Depart: be perverse, contrary

From your eyes: sight, figurative of mental and spiritual faculties

Keep: watch, guard, preserve, to protect, maintain, obey

Sound wisdom: efficient wisdom, abiding success

Discretion: power of devising, intent, purpose

So they will be: become, result

Life: as welfare and happiness, consisting of earthly felicity (state of being happy) combined with spiritual blessedness

To your soul: living being

Grace: favor, elegance

Neck: ornament around the neck

Looks good on you! 

Not only do wisdom and discretion allow you to enjoy life knowing that you are doing what God wants, but they look good on you! The result of keeping wisdom and knowledge in your "awareness zone", will allow you to filter your thoughts and actions through God's wisdom. And as you keep the perversion of truth away, you're appearance will be that of happiness and grace. 

Looks good on you! We've seen people that seem to glow from within—they look beautiful and radiant. That is what wisdom provides—that growing grace. 

Looks good on you! It all begins with the heart. A heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God is where the wisdom flows forth. When the heart is full of respect for God, then there is a strong desire to preserve wisdom and live in obedience to that wisdom. 

Proverbs 3: 19, 20: Wisdom, Understanding, and the Power of God!

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; By His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew. Proverbs 3: 19, 20

The Lord: deity Yahweh, the proper name of the God

Wisdom: ethical and religious: of God, as a divine attribute or energy

Founded: establish

Earth: land, water

Understanding: the act of discernment

Established: set up, fashion, fixed

Heavens: sky

Knowledge: perception, skill

Depths: deep, of subterranean waters

Broken up: rent open

Clouds: sky

Drop down: trickle, drip

Dew: night-mist

The things that can be done with wisdom and understanding..... and the power of God! A few days ago the world stopped to view the Super Moon. I continue to be awe as God displays His power and wonderful aspects of creation. Near the Castle,  is a road that has a beautiful display of flowers. Each time I approach that specific intersection, I thank God that He chose to create in living color. 

The Lord BY wisdom founded the earth. He knew exactly what was needed in order for His creation, including man, to survive and enjoy life on Earth. He provides rivers and lakes and vast oceans, and also the nightly dew to nurrish the Earth. 

The sky this morning was just a magnificent mix of cloud types and shades of pinks and blues. Beautiful craftsmanship on display as the sun rose creating a spectacular sunrise. And each morning the sunrise is a bit different but still each is beautiful. Wisdom, Understanding, and the power of God = spectacular results! 

Wisdom and understanding and the power of God—that same that was used to Create the World,  is available to each of us! Now that is awe-inspiring! Think about it. 

In order to fully take advantage of the wisdom, understanding the power of God, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). And when I have a fear and respect of God, then my heart and mind is open to the wisdom, understanding and power God wants to provide. 

Wisdom, Understanding, and the power of God = spectacular results!

Proverbs 3:16-18: False Advertisement?

Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her. Proverbs 3:16-18

Length of days: according to (the length of) thy life

Her right hand/left hand: wisdom personified

Riches: far richer, wealth, fortune

Honor: splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances

Ways: duty, journey, manner

Pleasantness: agreeableness, delight, suitableness,

Paths: course of life

Peace: completeness, soundness, welfare, safety

Tree: figurative of source of (life and) happiness

Life: sources (origin and direction) of life

Take hold of: seize, catch

Happy: be made happy, blessed

Retain: grasp, lay hold of

As I read these verses, it reminded me an advertisement. Look at all the great things wisdom has to offer! And unlike most advertisements today, there are not adverse side-effects. 

Perhaps some are thinking as they read these verses, that Wisdom is participating in false advertising. They aren't rich, their life isn't "delightful", they aren't content, they aren't happy—rather they are struggling and frustrated and overwhelmed with life and responsibilities. 

Yes, life and responsibilities can be hard, however, when handled with true wisdom, decisions are easier and we have peace that God is in control and overseeing each and every detail. We can rest and relax in the safety of God Almighty. 

There is no false advertisement here regarding what Wisdom offers. Rather, if we are not enjoying the God given bounties of peace and joy—it's that we are not receiving His gift of wisdom. Remember a heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), to accept Wisdom and life in accordance to that wisdom. No false advertisement here—just false reality for not applying wisdom correctly. 

Proverbs 3:14, 15: Incomparable

For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Proverbs 3:14, 15

Better: good, rich, valuable in estimation, compare to something (better than)

Proceeds, Profits: commerce, gain, merchandise

Silver: sliver as merchandise, 

Gain: profits 

Gold: decision, diligent, fine gold

Precious: precious, highly valued

Rubies: value

All: entirety, whole 

Desire: delight, pleasure, all things to be desired, longing 

Cannot compare: incomparable, no match

"Her, she" refers to the Wisdom that was sought after and found in verse 13. 

Think of the most valuable thing you can think of..... wisdom supersedes that! Compare anything to wisdom and that thing will fall short. Wisdom is the greatest treasure one can attain. 

Think about this for a moment. When something breaks, or when we have an emergency, we want those helping us to have the GREATEST wisdom possible. For example, when our car breaks down we don't call for a surgeon to come fix it. Rather we call an auto mechanic, one who has knowledge about cars and the experience in fixing cars—in other words, WISDOM. 

As we live life, God offers us Wisdom so that we can enjoy peaceful refreshment (Proverbs 3:8) and make the best decisions in life as we live our lives in accordance with God's Wisdom. Proverbs 2:7 tells that God is storing up Wisdom for us (#TreasureUp), it's available. And then Proverbs 2:7 and 8 explain that because Wisdom is so valuable, God provides a Supreme Body Guard to protect us as we live in obedience to wisdom! 

Wisdom is incomparable to the most valuable things we can imagine. And it's readily available. But without a heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God, sadly, we ignore the incomparable resource and try to live on our own lacking knowledge. 

Incomparable—to the more valuable thing—it's available. The question is will I seek after it and take hold of it? 

Proverbs 3:13: Finds

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; Proverbs 3:13

Happy: how happy! -- blessed

Finds: to attain to; to find thing sought

Wisdom: ethical and religious

Gains: bring out, elicit, obtain

Understanding: the object of knowledge

Searching for something and when you find it that wonderful feeling of success! Even more exhilarating that finding that thing, is finding wisdom and putting the wisdom into practice. 

Finds, to attain to to find the thing sought. Before you can find something, first you must decide what you are after. Then you have to be willing to seek it. And once you find it, take possession of it. 

I like to know why. I like to know how things work. I like to learn. The key to wisdom is the desire to know and learn and be willing to search for wisdom. And the great thing about that... is that we know the source of wisdom so that narrows down our search area. We can go directly to God Himself who is the Creator of all—the very source of wisdom. 

We know where to look—God. The next is having that desire to look. The motivation to find, attain wisdom and understanding. That begins when a heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

And as we gain wisdom, we must put into practice the knowledge and understanding. Live our lives in accordance to what we learn. 

And the end result is true happiness that is not base on how we feel, but rather based on the wisdom and knowledge of Almighty God. 

Finds. What is that thing which you are seeking? If you are looking for true happiness, then begin seeking wisdom. 

Proverbs 3:11, 12: Accept the Discipline

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction;

For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11, 12

Despise: reject, refuse

Chastening: discipline, more severely, chastisement of Yahweh

Detest: feel a loathing at, abhor, sickening dread

Correction: reproof, chiding

Loves: divine love to individual

Corrects: rebuke of God

Father the son: owing reverence, obedience, etc. to parents

Delights: be pleased with, favorable to

Do not. Nor. Neither. Do not do it! It's going to happen—simply because as sinners we will need discipline and correction. So, when it happens, do not refuse or reject it, don't approach it with a sickening dread. Rather accept the discipline and learn and put into practice what is learned so that you don't repeat it in the future. 

And remember the underlining and foundation for the discipline is true divine love. God wants us to learn, and grow, and live a life of peaceful refreshment (Proverbs 3:8).

We often get mad that the Lord disciplines us. But don't we get upset when we see a child misbehaving in the store and the parents ignore it or simply reward the bad behavior? Yet, that's what we expect when we do something wrong, we want the Lord God to ignore it or reward us. Yet, that is not how true love responds. True love will discipline and correct, knowing that there is something better when there is obedience. 

Do not. Nor. Neither. Do not do it! Accept the discipline and learn and grow from it. But that can only take place when a heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

Proverbs 3:9, 10: Lionize

Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase;

So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. Proverbs 3:9, 10

Honor: make honorable, honor, glorify

Lord: Yahweh, the proper name of the God

Possessions: wealth, sufficiency, what you have/own

Firstfruits: beginning, chief

All: the whole, entire

Increase: product, revenue

Barns: storehouse, supply

Be filled: be full, fill

Plenty: abundance, plenteous, satisfied

Overflow: burst open, break over [limits], increase

New wine: valuable product

Mine. Mine. Mine. 

All too often when the Lord gives us things, we turn into a 3-year-old... Mine! Mine! Mine! When in reality, God wants us to say, "It's yours, Lord, how do you want me to use it?" 

Honor. We hear that word often. Honor. What does it really mean? Honor according to the dictionary means to hold in honor or high respect; revere; to show a courteous regard for; to worship. But what does it MEAN to actually honor someone? 

Honor: Respect: account, adoration, adulation, aggrandizement, attention, celebration, confidence, consideration, credit, dignity, distinction, elevation, esteem, exaltation, faith, fame, fealty, glorification, glory, greatness, high standing, homage, immortalization, laud, lionization, notice, obeisance, popularity, praise, prestige, rank, recognition, renown, reputation, reverence, tribute, trust, worship.

When I first read the list of words describing Honor, the word "lionization" jumped out at me.
(Read that blog post here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2013/04/lionize.html)

Lionize. Lionization: to treat a person as a celebrity; to pursue celebrities or seek their company; to visit or exhibit the objects of interest of.

Lionization of celebrities is done every day. When we hear or see celebrities we like, we pause, we stop what we are doing to listen, we are in awe of them. 
Yet, we too often ignore God, the creator of all. Yes, we ignore God Almighty. 
How do we ignore Him? First and foremost, we ignore His Word and Truth. We choose to live our lives how we want, and ignore what He has commanded. 
And then, because ignore God, we do not give Him our possessions—rather we treat them as our own and use them for only our good. 

Lionize. Honor God Himself. For when I honor God, I will want to use all that He has given me in accordance with His purpose. The only way to be wiling to lionize God with my heart and all I have, is to have a heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For when my heart is right with God, I'll want to use all that I have to lionize Him to the fullest! 

Proverbs 3:7, 8: Do Be. Will Be.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.

It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Proverbs 3:7, 8

Do be: exist, abide, remain, continue

Not: to express with emphasis its negation (NO!!)

Wise: shrewd, crafty, cunning

Your own eyes: think best, of mental and spiritual faculties

Fear: reverence, honor

Depart: turn aside, out of one's course

Evil: ethical evil

Will be: fall out, come to pass, become, result

Health: healing

Flesh: body

Strength: drink (figurative for refreshment)

Bones: as representing entire person = one's whole being, including physical and moral

Do Be. Will Be. 

Often we see people out shopping, and we stop and say to ourselves, "Did that person even look in a mirror before they left the house?" We see one thing, and that person saw another. 

We don't always see ourselves honestly. We see ourselves in the way we want to be, not what we actually are. We tend to put ourselves the best light possible. Who wants to admit that we aren't wise, and good, and..... the list goes on. 

Yet, trying to be wise based on our own cunning crafty ways is just plain foolishness. Do Be. The fact is that we will BE, exist in someway. The question is how will be "Do Be"? Will be "Do Be" based on our own shrewd and cunning ways to get what we want and try to survive? Or will be "Do Be" based on the fear of God and His sovereign and holy wisdom? 

Do Be. We will exist. That's a fact. The choice clear—oneself or God.

Will Be. The Result is also clear. Fearing God has a greater result as it will result in healing refreshment to the body and soul. When the soul is at peace with God, then one's whole being is refreshed—pure peace from God Himself. 

If I want to enjoy the end result of refreshment from God, then my heart must first be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Act 9:31 MSG). And as my heart is set to fear God, my "Do Be" will be in accordance with God and the end result will be peaceful refreshment.

Proverbs 3:6: Practice Being Wise

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6

In all: the direction of the whole, every

Your ways: course of life, or action, undertakings, including moral character, good sense.

Acknowledge: learn to know, perceive with added idea of observing, taking note of, know by experience, recognize, be wise

Direct: make smooth, straight, in ethical sense

Paths: of course & fortunes of life, mode of living, or of character

Acknowledge. Take note of.  

When asked why I blog.. it's so that I can "remember" all that God has taught me. I often take time to go back and re-read blog posts. And sadly, as I read them... I realize that I have forgotten lessons God taught me, and blessings He's supplied. 

Throughout Scripture, God tells people to build monuments, or do certain things to remember things God has done. It's important to remember. Take note of what God has done and is doing. Take note of what God says in the Bible. Take note of what God is teaching. Take note of. 

Acknowledge. Take not of. Know by experience. 

Do. Experience helps cement the "knowing". Book knowledge is good, but actual hands-on experience cements that knowledge into our hearts and mind. Think about it for a minute. Which surgeon would you rather have: 1. Who has read all the books on the subject, but has NEVR performed any surgeries. 2. One who has read the books, and has gone through resident training, spent time practicing surgeries (usually on cadavers), and has performed the surgery on live people. Book knowledge vs Experience.

Acknowledge. Take not of. Know by experience. Be wise. 

Sadly, so often we take note of, learned by experience..... only to act foolishly. The key is to learn, know, experience and put all that into use—be wise. Just because you KNOW something doesn't mean that you'll make wise choices or act wisely. For there has to be follow-through. Practice being wise. 

Acknowledge. Take note of. Know by experience. Be wise. Then God can easily direct you on the path of life He has chosen for you. 

The very first aspect of Acknowledging God is to fear Him (Proverbs 1:7). When a heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then it is ready to accept God's Wisdom and then one can take note of and practice being wise. 

Proverbs 3:5b: Support Yourself

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;  Proverbs 3:5

Heart: the inner man, indefinite, soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

Lean: support oneself

Not: to express with emphasis its negation

Own understanding: faculties, one of the powers of the mind, as memory, reason, or speech.

Yesterday, we looked at the word Trust. Now that we know that God is trustworthy, let's look at the extent to which we are to trust and what other words of wisdom are found in these verses. 

Trust the Lord with all your heart. With all, entirety, your mind, affections, and will. It's one thing to say or think of trusting, it's another to set aside your will and trust in what God is doing! 

Don't try to support yourself on what you remember or think you know. "But I do know what's best!" Oh, really? I have to think back to this past Summer, when God was directing me as I was looking for a place to buy.

(You can read about how God directed me here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html) 

One home which we put an offer on, seemed "perfect" in my mind. It had wood floors, access to a pool, nice location, and the right price. Yes, it only had 2 bedrooms, BUT in my reasoning and understanding it was "perfect". 

God knew that He had something far better in mind. But at that moment, I could only see "this house and pool" and couldn't imaging anything better. Thankfully, God slammed that door shut keeping me from buying that home. For in his Wisdom, He was working on something far better. I had to learn to TRUST God and rely on God's Wisdom, not my own. 

Do not support myself on what I think I know or can reason. It may come as a great surprise, but I do not know it all! That seems unbelievable... right? Of course I do not know it all.... but sadly, too often I act like I do. 

Trust God. Do even try to support yourself. God in His Wisdom will teach and instruct and guide you...... but you need to Trust and rely on Him. Trusting Him begins with having a heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For when one respects God, one can fully trust God. 

Proverbs 3:5a: Trust

Trust in the Lord ...... Proverbs 3:5a

Trust: rely upon

In: denoting motion towards

Lord: Yahweh

Trust. Dependence. Reliance. Sureness. Confidence. 

To be honest, I have trust issues. I tend to be self-reliant, after all, I can "do it myself". I know that 3-year-old mentality appearing again. BUT, if I do it myself, I know that it will get done. I know that it will be done right (or at least right according to me). I know that ....... the list goes on. 

Trust. The key to trusting is not the act of trust itself, but the WHOM. Who do I trust? We all, at one point in our lives, trusted someone who in our minds, let us down. But, we are NOT putting our trust, reliance, in a person. We are to TRUST GOD, the Creator of all. 

First, God is trustworthy simply because HE IS GOD. Period. 

Let's look at this fact for a moment. He is the one who holds each star in place. He is the one who keeps the earth tilted at just the right angle so that the tides work, and so that the weather isn't too hot or too cold. He is in charge of the sunrise and sunsets. He is in charge of the vast galaxies. 

I'd say that the One who controls and takes care of all those details, is worthy of trust. 

But if you need more than that, God is trustworthy because He has PROVEN Himself trustworthy! God keeps His Word. Read through the Bible, and take note of each promise that God made, and how He kept that promise. 

And if you STILL need another reason to trust God.... well, I'd say look into your own heart. For if your heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then you'll understand that God is trustworthy. 

Trust. Not just in someone—but in God Himself. 

Proverbs 3:3, 4: Do Not Abandon—In Plain View

Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3, 4

Mercy: kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable)

Truth: faithfulness, reliableness

Forsake: leave, abandon

Bind: conspire, join together

tablet of your heart: tablet of the memory

Find: attain to thing sought

Favor: acceptance

High esteem: insight, understanding

Sight: in the view, opinion of

God: Yahweh is God in truth

Man: mankind

Forget. Abandon. Leave. Forsake. We all forget things. Many of us have gone to the grocery store for a particular item, and leave with a grocery cart full of stuff, only to get home and realize that we forgot that one item we wanted. 

How do we NOT forget, we write it down. Shopping lists, right? 

God knows that we will forget His mercy and truth, therefore He tells us... bind it, conspire then around your neck, like a necklace, write them on your memory. Keep them handy at ALL times. 

Why to we need to keep mercy and truth handy? So that our lives would be first and foremost acceptable to God, and then fellow man can see God through us. 

Each morning when we get dressed, we need to make sure we bind, put on mercy and truth. We need to make sure that we have written God's truth and mercy upon our hearts so that they are in plain view of everyone who sees us. 

What do people see when they look at me? Do they see God's mercy and truth? Or do they see a person who is self-centered, hateful, prideful...... the list continues. 

Even more importantly, than what do people see, what does God see? He not only sees my actions, but also the motive behind the actions. Am I living out His mercy and truth? Am I allowing His mercy and truth permeate my heart so that my motives and actions are in accordance with His will? 

In sight, in plain view—God and people will see. The question is WHAT are they seeing?  Only when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), will I want to know God's mercy and truth and display them for everyone to see. Do not abandon mercy and truth — for your life is in plain view!

Proverbs 3:1, 2: Abundance

My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Proverbs 3:1, 2

Not: always negates properly the word immediately following

Forget: omit, cause to forget, to mislay, i.e. To be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

Law: Instruction

Let your heart: the inner man, indefinite, soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

Keep: Guard with fidelity, keep, observe

Commands: code of wisdom

Length of days: years of life

Long: revolution of time, many years

Life: physical

Peace: welfare, health, prosperity

They will add: more wisdom and prosperity than is reported

More than reported. Abundance. We always want more. We never seem to have enough. But are we wanting more of the "right things"? Once again we are told, and very clearly, that if we REMEMBER and COMPREHEND (in knowledge and actions), we will have ..... wait a minute. 

How is this true? I know many who followed God's commandments and did not have long life or wealth and prosperity, let alone and abundance of it. 

How is this true? Because we once again are looking at our personal standards, not God's. Too often we get a mindset of what WE think we need to be "prosperous". We think we know what "old age" is. However, we have to remember that what we THINK makes one prosperous and what we think old age is.... doesn't compare to what God thinks! 

Length of days. How long is that? I do not know. But I do know that no matter how long my life is on this earth, I have ETERNAL life through Jesus Christ! Now that is truly, "length of days  & long life". 

Peace, welfare, prosperity. I'm not rich, so where is my prosperity—and the "more than reported prosperity?" Once again, whose standard am using the measure? If I use the world's standard, I am very poor—extremely poor. Yet, but if I use God's standard... WOW, I am rich! 

Rich? Yes, rich. For I have PEACE knowing that I am a Child of God, the King of kings. I am rich, knowing that the God who created everything, loves me. I am rich, because God supplies each need I have ACCORDING to HIS WILL—to accomplish HIS plan! 

Abundance. Yes, abundance. It's all a matter of perspective—whose standard is used the measure. And if I am REMEMBERING and GUARDING/OBSERVING WISDOM—then I'll be using the right standards to measure! 

Abundance. It's easy to miss if one's perspective gets skewed. To keep the right perspective and a heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG)—and only then will one see and enjoy the abundance God provides!